U.S. patent application number 15/013869 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-26 for apparatus and method for power management of a system of indicator light devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is Banner Engineering Corp.. Invention is credited to Robert T. Fayfield, Roman York Marjamaa.
Application Number | 20160148509 15/013869 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47089884 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160148509 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fayfield; Robert T. ; et
al. |
May 26, 2016 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POWER MANAGEMENT OF A SYSTEM OF INDICATOR
LIGHT DEVICES
Abstract
Indicator light devices are useful in many applications for
indicating properties of physical spaces respectively associated
therewith and in physical proximity thereto. The indicator light
devices are network-enabled and self-powered, and capable of
participating in coordinated power-managed operation to provide a
sufficient service life and lower installation and replacement
costs. The indicator light devices may be used with or without
associated sensors. The various embodiments described herein use
various power management techniques singly or in combination to
greatly increase the service life of self-power indicator light
devices without diminishing their effectiveness in the application.
These techniques include operating only the indicator light devices
associated with the physical spaces having properties of interest,
operating the indicator light devices with synchronized flashing,
operating the indicator light devices in accordance with the
detection of specific conditions, relevant time operation,
in-vicinity activation, and ambient light responsiveness.
Inventors: |
Fayfield; Robert T.; (Orono,
MN) ; Marjamaa; Roman York; (Minnetrista,
MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Banner Engineering Corp. |
Minneapolis |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47089884 |
Appl. No.: |
15/013869 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13100230 |
May 3, 2011 |
9286804 |
|
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15013869 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/932.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/3206 20130101;
G08G 1/146 20130101; G08G 1/142 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G08G 1/14 20060101
G08G001/14; G06F 1/32 20060101 G06F001/32 |
Claims
1-55. (canceled)
56. A system with energy management of visual capacity indicators
for a facility, the system comprising: a controller; a plurality of
indicator light devices (ILDs), wherein each ILD of the plurality
of ILDs is connected via a network to the controller, each ILD of
the plurality of ILDs is associated with a physical location and is
configured to activate or deactivate a light source associated with
each of the physical locations, and each ILD is coupled to at least
one presence detector, wherein, for each of the ILDs in the
plurality of ILDs, the corresponding at least one presence detector
is configured to detect whether each of the physical locations
associated with the ILD is occupied; a counting module operably
coupled to the controller and configured to monitor an available
supply of unoccupied physical locations in the plurality of
physical locations; a non-transitory computer-readable medium
operably coupled to the controller, wherein the computer-readable
medium comprises a program of instructions that, when executed by
the controller, cause the controller to perform operations to
conserve power for the ILDs, the operations comprising: receive an
available supply signal from the counting module, the available
supply signal representing the available supply of unoccupied
physical locations in the plurality of physical locations;
determine, based on the received available supply signal, whether a
percentage of all of the physical locations that are occupied meets
a predetermined occupancy threshold; receive a presence signal from
each of the presence detectors coupled to each of the ILDs in the
plurality of ILDs, the received presence signals identifying which
of the physical locations is occupied; if the percentage of all of
the physical locations that are occupied meets the predetermined
occupancy threshold, selectively activate, for each ILD of the
plurality of ILDs, the light source associated with each of the
physical locations that is not occupied; and, if the percentage of
all of the physical locations that are occupied does not meet the
predetermined occupancy threshold, deactivate all of the light
sources of all the ILDs in the plurality of ILDs.
57. The system of claim 56, wherein the each of the physical
locations comprises at least one parking space of a parking
facility.
58. The system of claim 56, wherein each of the ILDs in the
plurality of ILDs is operably coupled to at least one sound source
indicator.
59. The system of claim 56, further comprising a clock module
operably coupled to the controller and configured to determine,
based on the received available supply signal, a slow time of the
day during which the percentage of all of the physical locations
that are occupied is not likely to meet the predetermined occupancy
threshold, and to deactivate the at least one light source of each
ILD of the plurality of ILDs during the determined slow time of the
day.
60. The system of claim 56, wherein each ILD of the plurality of
ILDs further comprises a network module in operable communication
with the controller.
61. The system of claim 56, wherein the network comprises a
wireless network.
62. The system of claim 56, wherein the operation to activate the
light source of each ILD of the plurality of ILDs further comprises
synchronously flashing at least one of the light sources that is
associated with one of the physical locations that is not
occupied.
63. The system of claim 56, wherein the operation to activate the
light source of each ILD of the plurality of ILDs further comprises
coordinating flash patterns for at least one light source that is
associated with one of the physical locations that is not
occupied.
64. The system of claim 56, wherein the operations further comprise
to determine, based on the received presence signal, whether a
percentage of all of the physical locations that are occupied meets
a predetermined occupancy threshold.
65. The system of claim 56, further comprising a self-powered
source coupled to each ILD of the plurality of ILDs.
66. The system of claim 56, wherein each of the presence detectors
is selected from the group consisting of: a magnetometer, an
ultrasonic sensor, and a camera.
67. A system with energy management of visual capacity indicators
for a facility, the system comprising: a controller; a plurality of
indicator light devices (ILDs), wherein each ILD of the plurality
of ILDs is connected via a network to the controller, each ILD of
the plurality of ILDs is associated with a physical location and is
configured to activate or deactivate a light source associated with
each of the physical locations, and each ILD is coupled to at least
one presence detector, wherein, for each of the ILDs in the
plurality of ILDs, the corresponding at least one presence detector
is configured to detect whether each of the physical locations
associated with the ILD is occupied; a non-transitory
computer-readable medium operably coupled to the controller,
wherein the computer-readable medium comprises a program of
instructions that, when executed by the controller, cause the
controller to perform operations to conserve power for the ILDs,
the operations comprising: determine whether a percentage of all of
the physical locations that are occupied meets a predetermined
occupancy threshold; if the percentage of all of the physical
locations that are occupied meets the predetermined occupancy
threshold, selectively activate, for each ILD of the plurality of
ILDs, the light source associated with each of the physical
locations that is not occupied; and, if the percentage of all of
the physical locations that are occupied does not meet the
predetermined occupancy threshold, deactivate all of the light
sources of all the ILDs in the plurality of ILDs.
68. The system of claim 67, wherein the each of the physical
locations comprises at least one parking space of a parking
facility.
69. The system of claim 67, wherein each ILD of the plurality of
ILDs further comprises a network module in operable communication
with the controller.
70. The system of claim 67, wherein the network comprises a
wireless network.
71. The system of claim 67, wherein the operation to activate the
light source of each ILD of the plurality of ILDs further comprises
synchronously flashing at least one of the light sources that is
associated with one of the physical locations that is not
occupied.
72. The system of claim 67, wherein the operation to activate the
light source of each ILD of the plurality of ILDs further comprises
coordinating flash patterns for each of the light sources that is
associated with one of the physical locations that is not
occupied.
73. The system of claim 67, further comprising a self-powered
source coupled to each ILD of the plurality of ILDs.
74. The system of claim 67, wherein the operations further
comprise: receive a signal from each of the presence detectors
coupled to each of the ILDs in the plurality of ILDs, the received
signals identifying which of the physical locations is
occupied.
75. The system of claim 74, wherein the operation to determine
whether a percentage of all of the physical locations that are
occupied meets a predetermined occupancy threshold is further based
on the received signals.
76. A system with energy management of visual capacity indicators
for a facility, the system comprising: a controller; a plurality of
indicator light devices (ILDs), wherein each ILD of the plurality
of ILDs is connected via a network to the controller, each ILD of
the plurality of ILDs is associated with a physical location and is
configured to activate or deactivate a light source associated with
each of the physical locations, and each ILD is coupled to at least
one presence detector, wherein, for each of the ILDs in the
plurality of ILDs, the corresponding at least one presence detector
is configured to detect whether each of the physical locations
associated with the ILD is occupied; a clock module operably
coupled to the controller and configured to monitor operable times
of the day; a non-transitory computer-readable medium operably
coupled to the controller, wherein the computer-readable medium
comprises a program of instructions that, when executed by the
controller, cause the controller to perform operations to conserve
power for the ILDs, the operations comprising: determine an
inoperable time of the day and deactivate all of the light sources
of each ILD of the plurality of ILDs during the inoperable time of
the day.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to indicator light devices,
and more particularly to power management of a system of indicator
light devices.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Indicator lights are used in a variety of different types of
systems for indicating a condition existing in a physical space
associated with and in physical proximity to the indicator light.
Indicator lights are commonly employed, for example, in smart
parking systems. Smart parking systems have become popular in Asia,
Europe and most recently in the United States. These systems are
typically used in enclosed parking structures such as parking ramps
to maximize parking utilization and increase revenue for the
operator (a ramp operator, for example), and to improve the user's
(a retail customer, for example) experience. One type of smart
parking system uses a vehicle sensor and an indicator, typically an
LED light, in proximity to each parking spot to direct customers to
specific available parking spaces. A continuous green light
typically indicates "available" while a continuous red light
typically indicates "occupied." An example of such a smart parking
system which uses a wireless network is disclosed in US Patent
Application Publication No. 2007/0050240 published Mar. 1, 2007 in
the name of Belani et al.
[0005] Other examples of systems that employ indicator lights are
the pick systems and the pick-put systems common in warehouses and
manufacturing facilities. An example of a pick-put system is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,588 issued Aug. 10, 2004 to Peck.
In this system, each of the various storage bays in a storage
facility include a pick controller and intelligent light assemblies
for each location on the bay, and a cart includes a put controller
and intelligent light assemblies adjacent to specific receptacles
located on the cart. A portable computer on the cart translates
warehouse locations to light addresses of locations on a storage
bay for indicating to the user (a worker, for example) the need for
and quantity of an item to be retrieved from the illuminated
location, and communicating instructions to intelligent light
assemblies adjacent to specific receptacles located on the cart to
indicate to the user the quantity of the retrieved item to be
deposited into a particular one of the receptacles on the cart.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] For facilities using indicator lights in which the indicator
lights and other system components are networked, the cost of
installing network cabling can be significant. While wireless
components help avoid the cost and disruption of installing network
cables throughout a facility, many systems that use indicator
lights are still hard-wired to power sources because of power
requirements. While many components of a system draw power, the
indicator lights typically draw the most power, and the hard-wired
connection to a power source is needed to provide sufficient power
for a sufficient duration as required in some applications.
Unfortunately, having to connect the indicator lights to a power
source increases installation cost and limits installation options,
and even precludes their use in some facilities. While the
indicator lights and other components may be powered by batteries,
this alternative is not entirely satisfactory for some applications
because the power required by an indicator light can exhaust a
battery in an impractically short time. These problems singly or in
combination are solved by at least some of the embodiments of the
present invention, which may also be applicable to other
problems.
[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a method of
operating a plurality of indicator light devices physically
associated with respective physical locations in a facility and
networked over a wireless network for indicating a condition of
interest or a plurality of conditions of interest at the physical
locations in a manner viewable by a user of the facility. The
method comprises identifying a first subset of the physical
locations having a first condition of interest, a first subset of
the indicator light devices being physically associated with the
first subset of physical locations; and operating the first subset
of indicator light devices to provide a visual indication of the
first subset of physical locations to the user. The operating step
comprises synchronously flashing the indicator light devices in the
first subset of indicator light devices in accordance with
synchronization information conveyed over the wireless network to
visually indicate the first subset of physical locations to the
user.
[0008] Another embodiment of the present invention is a system
comprising a wireless network; a plurality of indicator light
devices physically associated with respective physical locations in
a facility for indicating a condition of interest or a plurality of
conditions of interest at the physical locations in a manner
viewable by a user of the facility, the indicator light devices
being networked over the network; and a synchronization controller
networked to the indicator light devices over the network for
providing synchronization information to a first subset of the
indicator light devices to synchronously flash the first subset of
the indicator light devices, the first subset of the indicator
light devices being physically associated with a first subset of
the physical locations having the condition or conditions of
interest to visually indicate the first subset of physical
locations to the user.
[0009] Another embodiment of the present invention is an indicator
light device for use on a wireless network in a facility along with
a plurality of networked indicator light devices physically
associated with respective physical locations in a facility for
indicating a condition of interest or a plurality of conditions of
interest at the physical locations in a manner viewable by a user
of the facility. The indicator light device comprises a light
source for providing the visual indication; a wireless
communications node for connecting to the wireless network; a
controller for controlling the light source and the wireless
communications node; and a computer-readable medium accessible to
the controller. The computer-readable medium comprises
controller-executable program instructions for identifying a first
subset of the physical locations having a first condition of
interest, a first subset of the indicator light devices being
physically associated with the first subset of physical locations;
and providing synchronization information to the first subset of
the indicator light devices to synchronously flash the first subset
of the indicator light devices and visually indicate the first
subset of physical locations to the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of an indicator light
device.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of an indicator light
sensor device.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of a sensor device.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
arrangement of an indicator light, sensor, communications and
self-power source for an indicator light device.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
arrangement of an indicator light, sensor, communications and
self-power source for an indicator light device.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
arrangement of an indicator light, sensor, communications and
self-power source for an indicator light device.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
arrangement of an indicator light, sensor, communications and
self-power source for an indicator light device.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
arrangement of an indicator light, sensor, communications and
self-power source for an indicator light device.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
arrangement of an indicator light, sensor, communications and
self-power source for an indicator light device.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
arrangement of an indicator light, sensor, communications and
self-power source for an indicator light device.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
arrangement of an indicator light, sensor, communications and
self-power source for an indicator light device.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
arrangement of an indicator light, sensor, communications and
self-power source for an indicator light device.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
arrangement of an indicator light, sensor, communications and
self-power source for an indicator light device.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
arrangement of an indicator light, sensor, communications and
self-power source for an indicator light device.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
arrangement of an indicator light, sensor, communications and
self-power source for an indicator light device.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
arrangement of an indicator light, sensor, communications and
self-power source for an indicator light device.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
network arrangement of indicator light devices.
[0027] FIG. 18 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
network arrangement of indicator light devices.
[0028] FIG. 19 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
network arrangement of indicator light devices.
[0029] FIG. 20 is a block schematic diagram of an illustrative
network arrangement of indicator light devices.
[0030] FIG. 21 is a block schematic diagram illustration various
illustrative power management functions for a network of indicator
light devices.
[0031] FIG. 22 is a side plan diagram of an illustrative indicator
light device.
[0032] FIG. 23 is a side plan diagram of an illustrative indicator
light device.
[0033] FIG. 24 is a partial block schematic diagram, partial
circuit diagram of an illustrative indicator light device.
[0034] FIG. 25 is a pictorial view of a parking garage application
which uses a network of indicator light devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, INCLUDING THE BEST MODE
[0035] Indicator light devices are useful in many applications for
indicating properties of physical spaces respectively associated
with and in physical proximity to the indicator lights. Examples of
such applications include parking garages, parking lots, on-street
parking, warehouse pick systems and pick-put systems, and so forth.
While not precluding wired installations, the indicator light
devices described herein are network-enabled and self-powered, and
capable of participating in coordinated power-managed operation, so
that indicator systems using them may be as effective as wired
systems while having a sufficient service life and lower
installation and replacement costs. LED-based indicator lights are
particularly useful because of their relatively low power
requirements and long service life, although any type of light
source may be used. Other indicators such as sound sources (horns,
voice messages, and the like) may be used along with the indicator
light. Coordinated operation of the indicator light devices may be
achieved in any desired manner, although the use of wireless
networking is particularly effective for minimizing installation
and replacement costs. The self-power source may be a power pack
using primary (non-rechargeable) batteries, although other
self-power sources which may be suitable for some applications
include power packs of rechargeable batteries, small fuel cells,
super capacitors, solar cells, and other such limited-power
sources. The indicator light devices may be used with or without
associated sensors, although the use of associated sensors is
advantageous in certain applications. Suitable sensors include
ultrasonic, photoelectric and video using, for example, pattern
recognition. The autonomous power source may be integrated within
the same housing as the indicator light device, although it may be
contained within a separate housing and locally wired to the
indicator light device. One or more sensors suitable for the
intended application may be integrated within the same housing as
the indicator light device, although such sensors may be contained
within a separate housing or housings and locally wired to the
indicator light device or wirelessly networked. The networking
circuit may be integrated within the same housing as the indicator
light device, although it may be contained within a separate
housing and locally wired to the indicator light device.
[0036] Taking advantage of the networked nature of indicator light
devices and particular characteristics of certain applications, the
various embodiments described herein use various power management
techniques singly or in combination to greatly increase the service
life of self-power indicator light devices without diminishing
their effectiveness in the application. This makes self-powered
indicator light devices practical and cost-effective for many
applications. These techniques include operating the indicator
light devices with synchronized flashing, specifying conditions of
interest from among various possible conditions of the physical
spaces and operating only the indicator light devices associated
with the physical spaces having the conditions of interest,
operating the indicator light devices only during relevant times,
operating the indicator light devices based on supply and demand,
operating the indicator light devices based on presence of the
user, and adjusting respective intensities of the indicator light
devices based on ambient light.
[0037] An indicator light system may include conventionally-powered
indicator light devices along with self-powered indicator light
devices. Advantageously, a self-powered indicator light device may
include the capability of being powered from a conventional power
line, along with the capability of detecting the power source and
operating either without power management, or in accordance with
some or all of the power management techniques in order to provide
a consistent experience to the user.
[0038] Devices
[0039] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an illustrative
indicator light device 10. The indicator light device 10 includes
communications 11 for communicating power management information
and other data as desired with other indicator light devices, a
gateway, a host, or any combination thereof, either using wired or
wireless communications or both via any desired type of network,
including, for example, active network architectures, client-server
network architectures, wireless ad hoc network architectures, and
peer-to-peer network architectures. The indicator light device 10
also includes a light source 12 for providing a visual indication.
Suitable light sources include unitary light emitting devices as
well as sources formed from arrays or other arrangements of light
emitting elements. The power management functions and operation of
the light source 12 are controlled by a controller 13. Many
different types of devices and circuits may be used as the
controller 13, including programmable controllers and
microprocessor-memory subsystems which use executable program code,
logic circuits, state machines, and any combination thereof. Where
memory is used, many different types of memory devices and circuits
may be used, including volatile, non-volatile, and combinations
thereof. Power for the various elements of the indicator light
device 10 is provided by self-power source 14. The entire device 10
may be contained within one housing for maximum ease in
installation. Alternatively, the device 10 may be implemented as
interconnected modules for flexibility and installation ease; for
example, the self-power source 14 may be implemented as a power
module, the light source 12 may be implemented as an indicator
module, and the controller 13 and communications 11 may be
implemented as a communications module, so that an installer may
select a desired type of indicator module and a desired type or
capacity of self-power source module for assembly into a single
unit. Alternatively, the device 10 may be implemented as separate
units; for example, the self-power source 14 may be implemented as
a power unit in one housing, and the communications 11, the light
source 12, and the controller 13 may be implemented as an indicator
unit in another housing so that an installer may mount the
indicator unit in one location and the self-power source unit in
another and perhaps less noticeable location separated from but
near the indicator unit. The self-power source unit may supply
power to the indicator unit in any desired manner, including by
wire and inductively. Alternatively, the self-power source 14 may
be implemented as a power unit in one housing, the light source 12
may be implemented as an indicator unit in one housing, and
communications 11 may be implemented as a communications unit in
one housing, with the controller 13 being placed in any of the
units as desired. Alternatively, each unit may be provided with its
own power source. The device 10 may be implemented in other
permutations as well.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a particular
implementation of the indicator light device of FIG. 1, which
includes a wireless data transceiver 21 and associated antenna 27
for wireless communications, a light emitting diode ("LED") 29 and
LED driver 22 as a light source, and a sensor interface 25 and a
sensor 28, illustratively an ultrasonic sensor of a type that is
particularly useful in smart parking systems for sensing the
presence or absence of a parked vehicle. The term light emitting
diode includes devices having one LED element as well as devices
having many arrayed or otherwise arranged LED elements. The
controller 23 is similar to the controller 13 of the indicator
light device 10 (FIG. 1) but is modified also to operate the sensor
28. The entire device 20 may be contained within one housing, or
implemented as interconnected modules or as individual units or in
any combination thereof. Illustratively, the sensor interface 25
and sensor 28 may be implemented as a sensor module and
interconnected with another module or other modules to form the
device 20. Illustratively, the sensor interface 25 and sensor 28
may be implemented as a sensor unit in its own housing, the LED 29
and LED driver 22 may be implemented as an indicator unit in its
own housing, the wireless data transceiver 21 and associated
antenna 27 may be implemented as a communications unit in its own
housing, and the self-power source 14 may be implemented as a power
unit in one housing, with the controller 23 being in any of the
units or even being in its own housing. If desired, each unit may
be provided with its own self-power source. For applications in
which the sensor must be located in a location that is not readily
visible, the light emitting diode ("LED") 29 and LED driver 22, the
wireless data transceiver 21 and associated antenna 27, the
controller 23, and the self-power source 14 may be implemented in a
main unit, and sensor 28 and sensor interface 25 may be implemented
in a sensor unit. The device 20 may be implemented in other
permutations as well, including, for example, separate indicator
and sensor units provided with their own power and communications
for combining placement flexibility with installation ease.
[0041] An example of a wirelessly networked sensor device 30 is
shown in FIG. 3. The sensor device 30 is similar to the indicator
light device 20 (FIG. 2), except that it lacks an indicator light.
The controller 33 is similar to the controller 23 except that it
need not be capable of controlling an indicator light source.
[0042] Some of the many permutations for implementing an indicator
light device are shown in FIG. 4 through FIG. 14. In these figures,
"I" represents indicator light, "S" represents sensor, "C"
represents communications, and "P" represents a self-power source.
A network node is shown for external communications, wherein the
network may be, for example, a wired network such as Ethernet, a
wireless network such as Wi-Fi, or a proprietary wireless network.
A proprietary wireless network that emphasizes power efficiency
using such techniques as reducing packet size and time
synchronization to minimize time on-air is particularly
advantageous. However, any desired technology may be used for
external communications, including local area networks, wide area
networks, personal area networks such as Bluetooth, peer-to-peer
wireless communications, and dedicated control and data line wired
communications. An indicator light device may include any one or
more of these technologies. Controllers are not shown in these
figures since a controller or controllers may be contained in one
unit, distributed across multiple units, or replicated in multiple
units, either with an indicator light, or sensor, or
communications, or self-power source, or any combination thereof,
or in its own unit, as desired.
[0043] FIG. 4 shows ISCP unit 40 in which an indicator light,
sensor, communications, and power are integrated into a single
unit. Communications is maintained via network node 41.
[0044] FIG. 5 shows an ICP unit 50 which integrates an indicator
light, communications and power, and a SCP unit 55 with integrates
a sensor, communications and power. ICP unit 50 includes network
node 51, and SCP unit 55 includes network node 56, for
communications between the units and to another one or more units,
one or more gateways, a host, or any combination thereof on the
network.
[0045] FIG. 6 shows an ICP unit 60 which integrates an indicator
light, communications and power, and a SP unit 65 which integrates
a sensor and power. ICP unit 60 includes network node 61 for
communications to another one or more units, one or more gateways,
a host, or any combination thereof on the network. Control signals
between the ICP unit 60 and the SP unit 65 are handled via
respective control ports 62 and 66.
[0046] FIG. 7 shows an ICP unit 70 which integrates an indicator
light, communications and power, and a SP unit 75 which integrates
a sensor and power. ICP unit 70 includes network node 71 for
communications to another one or more units, one or more gateways,
a host, or any combination thereof on the network. Control signals
between the ICP unit 70 and the SP unit 75 are handled via
respective control and power ports 72 and 76, which may also be
used if desired to share power between the units 70 and 75. Power
sharing may be done in any desired manner, ranging for example from
full-time power sharing by having the self-power sources of the
units 70 and 75 wired together, to peak load leveling by
selectively interconnecting the self-power sources of the units 70
and 75 when one of the units experiences a peak load
(illustratively the unit 70 when the indicator light must operate
at maximum intensity as in a bright light situation), to backup
when the self-power source in one of the units 70 and 75 is
exhausted.
[0047] FIG. 8 shows an IP unit 80 which integrates an indicator
light and power, and a SCP unit 85 which integrates a sensor,
communications and power. SCP unit 85 includes network node 86 for
communications to another one or more units, one or more gateways,
a host, or any combination thereof on the network. Control signals
between the IP unit 80 and the SCP unit 85 are handled via
respective control ports 81 and 87. If desired, control and power
ports may be used instead of control ports 81 and 87, so that power
may be shared between the units 80 and 85.
[0048] FIG. 9 shows an ICP unit 90 which integrates an indicator
light, communications and power, and a S unit 95 which only
contains a sensor. ICP unit 90 includes network node 91 for
communications to another one or more units, one or more gateways,
a host, or any combination thereof on the network. Control signals
between the ICP unit 80 and the S unit 85 are handled via
respective control and power ports 92 and 96, which are also used
to provide power from the ICP unit 90 to the S unit 95.
[0049] FIG. 10 shows an I unit 100 which only contains an indicator
light, and SCP unit 105 which integrates a sensor, communications
and power. SCP unit 105 includes network node 106 for
communications to another one or more units, one or more gateways,
a host, or any combination thereof on the network. Control signals
between the I unit 100 and the SCP unit 105 are handled via
respective control and power ports 101 and 107, which are also used
to provide power from the SCP unit 105 to the I unit 100.
[0050] FIG. 11 shows an I unit 110 which only contains an indicator
light, S unit 116 which only contains a sensor, and CP unit 112
which integrates communications and power. CP unit 112 includes
network node 113 for communications to another one or more units,
one or more gateways, a host, or any combination thereof on the
network. Control signals between the I unit 110, the CP unit 112,
and the S unit 116 are handled via respective control and power
ports 111, 114 and 117, which are also used to provide power from
the CP unit 112 to the I unit 110 and the S unit 116.
[0051] FIG. 12 shows an IS unit 120 which integrates an indicator
light and sensor, and CP unit 122 which integrates communications
and power. CP unit 122 includes network node 123 for communications
to another one or more units, one or more gateways, a host, or any
combination thereof on the network. Control signals between the IS
unit 120 and the CP unit 122 are handled via respective control and
power ports 121 and 124, which are also used to provide power from
the CP unit 122 to the IS unit 120.
[0052] FIG. 13 shows an IC unit 130 which integrates an indicator
light and communications, an S unit 136 which only contains a
sensor, and P unit 134 which only contains power. The IC unit 130
includes network node 131 for communications to another one or more
units, one or more gateways, a host, or any combination thereof on
the network. Control signals between the IC unit 130 and the S unit
136 are handled via respective control and power ports 132 and 137.
Power is provided from the power port 135 of the P unit 134 to the
power ports 132 and 137 of the IC unit 130 and the S unit 136
respectively.
[0053] FIG. 14 shows an ISC unit 140 which integrates an indicator
light, sensor and communications, and P unit 144 which contains
only power. ISC unit 140 includes network node 141 for
communications to another one or more units, one or more gateways,
a host, or any combination thereof on the network. Power is
provided by the P unit 144 to the ISC unit 140 via respective power
ports 145 and 142.
[0054] FIG. 15 shows an I unit 150 which contains an indicator
light, a P unit 152 which contains power, a C unit 154 which
contains communications, and a S unit 158 which contains a sensor.
The C unit 154 includes network node 155 for communications to
another one or more units, one or more gateways, a host, or any
combination thereof on the network. Control signals between the I
unit 150, the C unit 154, and the S unit 158 are handled via
respective control and power ports 151, 156 and 159. Power is
provided from the power port 153 of the P unit 152 to the control
and power ports 151, 156 and 159.
[0055] FIG. 16 shows an IC unit 162 which contains an indicator
light and communications, a P unit 160 which contains power for the
IC unit 162, a SC unit 165 which contains a sensor and
communications, and a P unit 168 which contains power for the SC
unit 165. The IC unit 162 includes network node 163 for
communications to another one or more units, one or more gateways,
a host, or any combination thereof on the network. The SC unit 165
includes network node 166 for communications to another one or more
units, one or more gateways, a host, or any combination thereof on
the network. Control signals between the IC unit 162 and the SC
unit 165 are handled via respective control and power ports 164 and
167. Power is provided to the IC unit 162 from the power port 161
of the P unit 160 to the control and power port 164. Power is
provided to the SC unit 165 from the power port 169 of the P unit
168 to the control and power port 167. If desired, power from the P
unit 160 and the P unit 168 may be shared by the IC unit 162 and
the SC unit 165 via the control and power port 164 and the control
and power port 167.
[0056] Networks
[0057] The indicator light devices in a system may be
interconnected in any desired manner, including dedicated control
and data lines and wireless and wired networks. Where networking is
used, many suitable network topologies are available, including,
for example, bus, star, ring, tree, mesh, and fully connected or
hybrid. Suitable network protocols for these and other network
topologies are well known in the art. The network may include
different types of devices such as, for example, such device types
as gateway devices, node devices, host computers, server computers,
client devices, master devices, and slave devices in any
combination of two or more.
[0058] A few examples of suitable network organizations are shown
in FIG. 17 through FIG. 20. The connecting lines between the
various blocks are intended to show only how the network is
organized, and are not intended to show any particular network
topology or protocol, or whether the network is wired or wireless.
While the networked devices shown are ISCP devices which include an
indicator light, sensor, communications and power, these devices
may be implemented in any desired manner (for example, as a single
unit (modular or unitary) or as multiple units). Moreover, other
types of devices may be present on the network, including, for
example, ICP devices which have an indicator light but no sensor,
and SCP devices with have a sensor but no indicator light.
Moreover, the network may also include line-powered devices.
[0059] FIG. 17 shows a simple network in which ISCP devices 171,
172 and 173 are networked to a master 170 and are configured as
slave devices. The master 170 alternatively may be a gateway, host,
or client, with the ISCP devices 171, 172 and 173 being nodes. The
master 170 may be housed separately from the ISCP devices 171, 172
and 173, or may be mounted within one of the ISCP devices 171, 172
and 173. This type of network organization is suitable, for
example, for a facility in which all locations are clustered
together. It may be desirable for the master 170 to be line-powered
in those implementations in which the master 170 is frequently
active and provides relatively high power communications.
[0060] FIG. 18 shows a network in which gateway devices 185, 190
and 195 are networked to a host 180. ISCP devices 186, 187 and 188
are networked to the gateway 185, ISCP devices 191, 192 and 193 are
networked to the gateway 190, and ISCP devices 196, 197 and 198 are
networked to the gateway 195. This type of network organization is
suitable, for example, for a facility in which the locations are
clustered into spatially separated areas.
[0061] FIG. 19 shows a network in which client devices 210, 220,
230 and optionally 240 are networked to a server 200. ISCP devices
211, 212 and 213 are networked to the client 210, ISCP devices 221,
222 and 223 are networked to the client 220, and ISCP devices 231,
232 and 233 are networked to the client 230. An operator may manage
the system from a separate client device 240, illustratively an
appropriately configured personal computer. In this case, the
clients 210, 220 and 230 may be simple and inexpensive specialized
devices for exchanging information between the various networked
ISCP devices and the server. Alternatively, any one or more of the
clients 210, 220 and 230 may be a more powerful device that is
appropriately configured not only to for exchanging information
between the various networked ISCP devices and the server, but also
to manage the system. This type of network organization is
suitable, for example, for a facility in which the locations are
clustered into spatially separated areas, and the data processing
and storage is done remotely using a client-server model over the
internet.
[0062] FIG. 20 shows a self-organizing network in which nearest
neighbor indicator light devices 251-259 bind with one another.
This type of network organization is suitable, for example, for a
facility in which all locations are clustered together, and only
power management and simple system management functions need to be
performed. Network control may be thought of as being distributed
among the indicator light devices 251-259.
[0063] Power Management
[0064] Although an indicator light device such as the device 20
(FIG. 2) may have many power-consuming subsystems, the subsystem
having the greatest impact on the service life of the self-power
source is the light. Consider the use of four (4) D-cell alkaline
batteries as a self-power source. Such a battery pack provides
about 20,000 mA hours at 4-6 volts. The ultrasonic sensor 28 and
the data transceiver 21 may be duty-cycled so that they require
relatively little power over the service life of the self-power
source. If a measurement is taken and communicated in ten (10)
second intervals, for example, the sensor 28 and data transceiver
21 may be operated so as to draw only about 200 uA, which would
allow for about ten years of battery life. On the other hand, light
sources consume much more power. Some LED light sources draw about
100 mW or more of current at the battery, and even efficient LED
light sources draw about 32 mA at the battery. In an "always on"
smart parking system that uses, for example, efficient 32 mA light
sources as indicators, the LED light sources are always on with a
particular color to direct customers to specific available parking
spaces. A green light might indicate "available" while a red light
might indicate "occupied," for example. Unfortunately, the useable
service life of the battery pack in this 32 mA configuration would
be just under one (1) month, which is too short to be practical for
a smart parking system application. The usable service life would
still be less than adequate even if a more expensive but longer
lived lithium battery power source were used, and even if a more
efficient light source were used. Moreover, certain applications
involve the use of indicator lights in sunny locations, where the
indicator lights consume even greater power so as to operate with
sufficient brightness.
[0065] Such networked indicator lights may be operated in a manner
that while different than current approaches, is still entirely
satisfactory for the application even while greatly reducing power
consumption. Techniques suitable for greatly extending the service
life of the power packs in a networked system of indicator lights
even while maintaining or enhancing the suitability of the
indicator lights for various applications include synchronized
flashing, specific condition detection, relevant time operation,
supply-demand based operation, presence operation, and ambient
light responsiveness.
[0066] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating various
illustrative power management functions that may be carried out to
reduce the power requirements of a light source driven by the light
driver 300. Flash synchronizer 270 synchronizes the flashes among
the indicator light devices within a group, to reduce power
consumption while preserving the effectiveness of the indication to
the user. A flash pattern, rate and duty cycle controller 274
controls the flash pattern, rate and duty cycle for such purposes
as optimizing visibility and intensity for optimal visual
effectiveness and power savings. Controls 280 which deactivate the
indicator light devices in certain situations to avoid unnecessary
power consumption include condition switch 282, relevant times
switch 284, supply and demand switch 286, and presence switch 288.
Controls 290 which adjust power consumption to optimally balance
power consumption and performance include relevant times control
292, ambient light control 294, and manual control 296. Intensity
may be controlled in an analog fashion by adjusting the power
available to the light driver 300, or digitally by adjusting the
flash pattern, flash rate, flash duty cycle (as shown in FIG. 21 by
phantom lines to the flash pattern, rate and duty cycle controller
274), or any combination thereof. A sensor 312 is controlled by a
sensor control 310. Communications between the controls 270, 282,
284, 286, 288, 292, 294, 296 and 310 and other devices, gateways,
hosts, clients and servers in the system are handled by
communications 260. These functions and the implementations
described herein may be realized in software, firmware or hardware,
as desired, and may be provided in the devices themselves, or in
the gateways, hosts, clients and servers in the system, or
distributed among the devices, gateways, hosts, clients, and
servers in the system in any suitable combination. Where functions
are realized in software, they may be loaded from or stored in any
suitable machine readable medium, including but not limited to
solid state memory such as ROM, RAM, SRAM and Flash; magnetic
memory, holographic memory, tape, disk, CD ROM, DVD and so forth,
whether or not the memory is stand-alone, integrated with a
processor core, integrated into a device, available over a network,
or otherwise accessible for machine-readability in any way.
[0067] Power Management: Flash Pattern, Rate and Duty Cycle Control
274
[0068] Current consumption by the light source is greatly reduced
by using a low power and efficient light source that is also
capable of being flashed to reduce power consumption further, and
then flashing it for the indication. A light emitting diode ("LED")
is an example of such a light source. By reducing the duty cycle of
the LED on-time during indication, the current consumed can be
reduced by the ratio of the duty cycle. For example when the system
is flashed for 62.5 ms every 1 sec ( 1/16th duty cycle), the
average current for the indicator reduces to about 2 mA from its
"always on" current of 32 mA. With reference to a 20,000 mA hours
alkaline battery pack, for example, the service life of such an
indicator light may be increased to just over one year. Greater
increases may be realized by using higher capacity power source
such as lithium batteries.
[0069] The flash pattern, flash rate, flash duty cycle, and/or
analog intensity may be established at a fixed value optimal or at
least satisfactory for the application, or a default value may be
established which may then be varied based on any desired parameter
or parameters. An example of the latter is to vary the duty cycle
for an indicator light at a particular location based on the time
of day as determined by the relevant times control 292, for
example, or the amount of ambient light sensed at or near that
location as determined by the ambient light control 294, for
example, or an observer using manual control 296, for example, or
any combination thereof. The flash pattern, flash rate, flash duty
cycle, and/or analog intensity may be determined within an
indicator light device based on sensor measurements made by the
indicator light device and/or based on data and/or commands
received from other devices, sensors, gateways, hosts, clients and
servers in the system, or may be determined within the system but
outside of the indicator light device and communicated to the
indicator light device.
[0070] Any desired flash pattern readily visible to the human eye
may be used, including simple and complex patterns. An "eye
catching" flash pattern is particularly suitable. Care should be
taken to avoid flash patterns that can aggravate medical conditions
such as seizure. As between several equally eye catching patterns,
the pattern resulting in the least power consumption is
advantageous.
[0071] Power Management: Flash Synchronizer 270
[0072] The flashing of the indicator lights throughout a particular
area or even through an entire facility may be coordinated to
provide a readily visible and effective indication to the user
without jeopardizing the power reduction benefits of flashing.
Coordinated flashing enables the user to readily observe at a
single glance the indicated status for various physical locations
in the facility within the user's view.
[0073] Flash synchronization may be achieved using synchronization
information conveyed over a wireless network, where the
synchronization information may be a beacon, a time marker, a flash
command, a flash sequence command, or any other type of
synchronization information. The synchronization information may be
provided by a synchronization controller, which may be a
stand-alone device, part of a device such as a gateway radio, part
of a master device, installed in a node or slave device, or
implemented in a computer such as a host, client or server
computer. One illustrative technique for flash synchronization is
to implement communications with radios that have time-synchronous
operation, and to use this common capability to trigger the
flashing of the indicator lights in the network at the same
instant. Such radios are available from Banner Engineering Corp. of
Minneapolis, Minn., USA, and include SureCross.TM. Wireless I/O
Products such as the model DX70 and DX80 nodes and gateways. The
model DX80 radio products, for example, accomplish flash
synchronization as follows. A DX80 radio system includes a gateway
radio and one or more node radios. During run time, the master and
slave radios, or gateway and node radios, communicate synchronously
using a sequence of one hundred twenty eight (128) individual
time-bounded frames that make up a larger "super frame." During
operation, the master radio sends one or more beacons at the
beginning of one or more frames in the super frame. These beacons
are used by the slave radios to establish a common time schedule,
so that all radios know exactly when each frame in the super frame
will occur and thereby when they can communicate. In addition, the
slave radios may use this time schedule to actuate device outputs
at precisely defined times, thereby enabling synchronized light
flash patterns. In set up mode, for example, the DX80 slave radios
may be configured with a "recipe" that indicates during which
frame(s) the light output(s) should be actuated during run time
operation. The recipe may be encoded in a bank of eight (8)
non-volatile memory registers, each containing a sixteen (16) bit
word where each bit in the word represents a single frame in the
super frame; If for example all radios are configured with a
"recipe" to actuate a light output only during frame one (1) of the
super frame, the effect will be synchronized flashing of all
enabled outputs with a duty cycle of 1/128. More complicated
patterns may be created as desired by configuring a "recipe" that
actuates during multiple frames in the super frame.
[0074] Another illustrative technique for flash synchronization is
firefly synchronization in ad hoc networks. Various types of
firefly synchronization are well known in the art; see, for
example, Tyrrell, Alexander; Auer, Gunther; and Bettstetter,
Christian; Firefly Synchronization in Ad Hoc Networks, 2006.
[0075] Power Management: Condition-of-Interest Switch 282
[0076] Where the condition being indicated is presence or absence
of something, the indicator light device may be illuminated to
indicate only the condition of interest. In a smart parking system,
for example, the condition-of-interest may be vacant parking spots,
or the absence of parked vehicles. In a pick system, for example,
the condition-of-interest may be the bins where the desired item is
available, or the presence of the desired items. The indicator
light devices may be operated to take advantage of the following
observation: when trying to find a parking spot or a needed item, a
person is only interested in available parking spots or in the bins
that contain the needed item. Therefore the indicator system may be
operated to save battery power by only indicating the desired
condition, since the number of indicator light devices that need to
be flashed is often less than all of the indicator light devices in
the system. Illustratively, flashing green LED's may be used to
indicate the desired condition "Available" (for example, vacant
spots or bins containing a needed item), while the green LED's
would not be illuminated if the desired condition were absent (for
example, for occupied parking spots or bins that are empty or
contain items that are not needed).
[0077] Additional conditions of interest may be indicated by
flashing a different color light. In a parking system context, for
example, filled parking spots, or the presence of parked vehicles,
may be indicated by flashing red LED's, and vacant handicapped
parking spots, or the absence of parked vehicles from handicapped
parking spots, may be indicated by flashing blue LED's. If desired,
each indicator light device may be provided with colored LED's
corresponding to two or more conditions of interest, so that each
indicator light device may indicate any of the conditions of
interest. Alternatively, two or more indicator lights devices with
respective colored LED's for the respective conditions of interest
may be located in the same general area to indicate any of the
conditions of the conditions of interest. The different colored
LED's may be flashed alternatively or together, as desired.
[0078] As a condition of interest indicator, red LED's generally
have the particular advantage of consuming less power than LED's of
equal intensity in other colors because the energy gap of the
semiconductor efficiently produces a red electroluminescence.
Therefore, red LED's may be used as the only light source in an
indicator light device where maximize battery life is desired, or
may be used as an additional light source in an indicator light
device to indicate an additional condition of interest without
unduly impacting battery life.
[0079] The reduction in indicator on-time achieved by
condition-of-interest sensing varies depending on the application,
and may be further enhanced by limiting the use of the technique to
times when the condition being sensed is likely to be rare. In
smart parking systems, for example, condition-of-interest sensing
is particularly effective when used during busy times, since
relatively fewer parking spots would be available.
[0080] Using both flash and condition-of-interest sensing results
in over two years of operation in the case of the alkaline battery
pack example. This calculation is based on a conservative estimate
of fifty percent reduction in indicator on-time, which would reduce
the average current for the indicator to about 1 mA from its
"always on" current of 32 mA. Depending on the application and the
use of complementary power management techniques to limit
condition-of-interest sensing to times when the condition being
sensed is likely to be rare, the actual reduction realized may be
substantially greater.
[0081] Power Management: Relevant Times Switch 284
[0082] The indicator system may be operated only during relevant
times when indication is likely to be needed. In the case of a
smart parking system, for example, parking guidance may not be
needed when the facility is not busy, which may be inferred with
reasonable confidence based on known "slow" times of the day or
hours of closure, or which may be determined by real time occupancy
sensing. When these times are factored in, the amount of "on-time"
of the light of an indicator light device is quite low, even less
that 50%.
[0083] In the case of a smart parking system, for example, the
indicator light devices and sensors need to be operated only when
the parking facility is open for business or when the parking
facility is likely to be busy. Many parking facilities, for
example, are not open for business for twenty-four hours every day,
and may not be busy outside of normal working or shopping hours
except during special events. No parking indication is needed
during these periods. To take advantage of such situations, the
indicator light device may be operated only during times that
parking guidance is anticipated to be important. Conservatively
assuming twelve hours per day of sensor and indicator operation and
continuing the alkaline battery pack example, the average current
for the indicator further decreases to about 0.5 mA from its
"always on" current of 32 mA. This provides just over four and a
half years of service life with the alkaline battery pack. A
lithium battery may be used in place of the alkaline battery pack
to provide an even longer service life.
[0084] One technique for implementing the relevant times switch 284
is to maintain a central operation schedule, and communicate
appropriate activate/deactivate commands to the indicator light
devices from a host or a scheduler client. Another technique is to
enable each indicator light device with a calendar capability, and
to preset on/off hours and days in each indicator light device
manually during installation, or over a network after installation
during a setup procedure. Another technique is to maintain a
central operation schedule and upload the schedule after each
update to the indicator light devices, which activate and
deactivate themselves individually based on the locally stored
schedule.
[0085] Power Management: Supply/Demand Switch 286
[0086] Groups of light indication devices may be selectively
activated and deactivated in stages based on supply and demand of
the condition-of-interest. In the case of a parking garage
servicing a mall, for example, the frequency of use of parking
spaces tends to decline with increased distance from the mall
entrance. Therefore, during times of light activity, only the group
of indicator light devices nearest the mall entrance needs to be
activated, while groups of indicator light devices increasingly
more distant from the mall entrance may be successively activated
as activity increases. In the case of a warehouse pick system, for
example, when supply of the desired part is plentiful and available
from several locations in the warehouse, only the indicator light
device or devices nearest a main aisle or access door needs to be
activated, while indicator light devices increasingly more distant
from the main aisle or access door may be successively activated as
supplies dwindle. The level of activity may be determined by the
sensors associated with the active devices, and the groups of
indicator light devices may be activated/deactivated based on the
number of cars or parts in the facility, or on particular floors or
in particular areas of the facility. The supply criteria of parking
availability (in the case of parking garage) or inventory (in the
case of a warehouse) may be used to determine whether to enable the
indicator light device; for example, twenty percent full in a
section of the facility or the entire facility. In the case of
parking structures, for example, many have some level of area
counting, such as a level-by-level granularity or a
section-by-section granularity, which may be used as a basis for
successive activation/deactivation.
[0087] In some facilities, light indication may be needed during
times of low activity only for particular locations within the
facility. In the case of a parking garage servicing a mall, for
example, the parking spaces nearest the mall entrance can be
expected to be used even during times of low activity, while the
more remote spaces can be expected to be disused during such times
of low activity. In this case, either high capacity self-powered
indicator light devices or line-powered indicator light devices may
be used for those locations which experience frequent activity,
while self-powered indicator light devices of lower capacity and
hence lesser cost may be used for the other locations in the
facility. When activity is low as determined by the sensors
monitoring the near spaces, the remote self-powered indicator light
devices may be deactivated. When activity is high as determined by
the sensors monitoring the near spaces, the self-powered indicator
light devices may be activated.
[0088] One technique for implementing the supply switch 286 is to
evaluate data from the sensors associated with the indicator light
devices on a remote device such as a host or client device, and
communicate appropriate activate/deactivate commands to groups of
indicator light devices as appropriate. Such data is readily
available when the sensors are active. However, for sensors
associated with inactive indicator light devices, the inactive
devices may be powered up periodically, either by polling from a
host or client device, or based on an internal schedule, and their
results communicated to a host or client for a determination of
whether the indicator light devices in the area should remain
activated or be deactivated.
[0089] Power Management: Presence Switch 288
[0090] The sensors used in an indicator system to detect the status
of the locations may be supplemented by additional sensors for user
presence detection. Supplemental sensors may be used, for example,
to detect the presence of a user requiring an indication, so that
indicator light devices may remain deactivated unless a user is
present. In the case of a smart parking system, for example,
indicator light devices and their associated sensors within a
particular area may be activated when a vehicle is present in the
vicinity. A supplemental sensor such as a wireless magnetometer may
be used to detect the general presence of vehicles. When a vehicle
is detected, the indicator light devices and their associated
sensors in the area are activated. If no further activity is
detected by the magnetometer or by the sensors for the area within
a period of time, illustratively a fixed amount of time such as
sixty seconds, the indicator light devices and their associated
sensors in the area may be deactivated. The magnetometer remains
active so that if another vehicle is detected by the magnetometer
before the time elapses, the time is extended until the algorithm
times out. In this way the sensor-indicator devices within an area
are operated only when a vehicle is trying to find a spot in that
area.
[0091] Other suitable types of user presence sensors include
photoelectric beams, card readers, video monitors, attendant
observation, and so forth.
[0092] Power Management: Relevant Times Control 292
[0093] The indicator system may be operated at greater or lesser
intensity depending on relevant times. Light brightness may be
varied based on time of day, for example. In the case of a smart
parking system, for example, the indicator light devices may be
operated at lesser intensity in early morning or late evening. In
parking structures having areas that are shaded during certain
times of day, the indicator light devices may be operated at lesser
intensity at these times.
[0094] One technique for implementing the relevant times control
292 is to maintain a central operation schedule on a host or a
scheduler client, and communicate appropriate activate/deactivate
commands to the indicator light devices from the host or the
scheduler client. Another technique is to enable each indicator
light device with an internal date and time clock, and to preset
on/off hours and days in each indicator light device manually
during installation, or over a network after installation during a
setup procedure. Another technique is to maintain a central
operation schedule and upload the schedule after each update to the
indicator light devices, which activate and deactivate themselves
individually based on the locally stored schedule. The intensity of
operation may be controlled digitally by adjusting the flash rate
and/or duty cycle, or in an analog manner by adjusting the current
available to the light source, or by a combination thereof.
Operation of the relevant times control 292 and the relevant times
switch 286 may be combined if desired.
[0095] Power Management: Ambient Light Control 294
[0096] An ambient light detector may be used to detect the amount
of ambient light about an indicator light device, so that intensity
of the light may be adjusted to the lowest amount necessary to
operate the light at sufficient intensity for the local ambient
conditions. Smart parking systems often are used in parking
structures which are generally dark most times of the day so the
light currents can be quite low on average. However during sunny
times of day, certain spots such as the ends of rows may be more
brightly illuminated due to their location within the parking
facility. Moreover, even a parking structure may have parking spots
exposed to the outside. An ambient light detector may be included
in the vicinity of several indicator light devices or with each
indicator light device (for example, in the housing of a device
which combines the sensor and indicator, or in the housing of the
indicator where the sensor and indicator are separately housed) so
that based on the amount of light detected at a particular spot,
the light intensity may be increased or decreased to provide
sufficient illumination for the indication with minimum effective
power consumption. The ambient light measurement may be made in the
dead time between flashes to avoid being "sprayed" by the LED
indicator; this results in a more accurate ambient light
measurement.
[0097] One technique for implementing the ambient light control 294
is to maintain data on the ambient light conditions and perform the
ambient light control calculations centrally, on a host or client,
and communicate appropriate flash pattern, rate, duty cycle, and/or
current adjustment commands to the indicator light devices. Another
technique that is suitable particularly when an indicator light is
provided with its own ambient light sensor is for the indicator
light device to adjust its own intensity directly, based on the
output of the ambient light sensor.
[0098] Power Management: Manual Control 296
[0099] Manual control of light intensity may be provided if
desired. Manual control may be provided to allow full override of
all functions or of only selected functions.
[0100] Device Implementation Example
[0101] FIG. 22 is a plan view of an implementation of the
wirelessly networked indicator light device 200 of FIG. 2 in the
form of a unitary device assembled from interconnected modules. A
battery module 320 illustratively containing four (4) D-cell
alkaline batteries or lithium batteries serves as the base of the
device, and is used to mount the device to any suitable surface
from the bottom or side surfaces of the battery module 320. A
battery module cover 322 completes the battery module 320. A data
radio module 330 and a light and sensor module 340 are mounted to
the battery module cover 322 in any suitable manner, illustratively
by respective externally threaded conduits which project from the
data radio module 330 and the light and sensor module 340 through
respective holes in the battery module cover 322 and are secured by
respective nuts. The light and sensor module 340 includes an
embedded ultrasonic sensor 344 for emitting ultrasonic waves 346
and detecting reflected waves (not shown), and a transparent or
translucent semispherical housing section for emitting light 342 of
a desired color or colors. The data radio module 330 includes a
data transceiver (not shown), an embedded antenna (not shown), and
a button 332 which an installer may press to bind the data radio
module 330 to a suitable wireless network. Alternatively, the
ultrasonic sensor 344 may be used for this purpose by implementing
a distance-sensing function. If the ultrasonic sensor detects an
object within a small distance of the sensor face for a certain
amount of time, such as the installer's hand positioned near the
sensor face, the indicator light device then enters into binding
mode for a certain amount of time. The size and configuration of
the battery module 320, the data radio module 330, and the light
and sensor module 340, and the type of interconnection described
are illustrative, and a variety of different sizes, configurations
and interconnection techniques are suitable.
[0102] FIG. 23 is a plan view of an implementation of the
wirelessly networked indicator light device 200 of FIG. 2 in the
form of a unitary device. A battery and circuit compartment 350
illustratively contains four (4) D-cell alkaline batteries or
lithium batteries and the circuit board or boards for the device
electronics, including processor, memory, radio and antenna, serves
as the base of the device, and is used to mount the device to any
suitable surface from the bottom or side surfaces of the battery
compartment 350. A compartment cover 352 completes the compartment
350. A light and sensor housing 360 is mounted to the battery
module cover 352 in any suitable manner, illustratively by an
externally threaded conduit which projects from the light and
sensor module 360 and through a hole in the cover 352 and secured
by a nut. The light and sensor housing 360 includes an embedded
ultrasonic sensor 364 for emitting ultrasonic waves 366 and
detecting reflected waves (not shown), and a transparent or
translucent semispherical housing section for emitting light 362 of
a desired color or colors. A binding button (not shown) may be
provided on the side of the compartment 350 or inside the
compartment 350, so that an installer may press the button to bind
the data radio to a suitable wireless network. Alternatively, the
ultrasonic sensor 364 may be used for this purpose by implementing
a distance-sensing function. If the ultrasonic sensor detects an
object within a small distance of the sensor face for a certain
amount of time, such as the installer's hand positioned near the
sensor face, the indicator light device then enters into binding
mode for a certain amount of time. The size and configuration of
the indicator light device shown in FIG. 23 are illustrative, and a
variety of different sizes, configurations and interconnection
techniques are suitable.
[0103] FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of a circuit 400 suitable for
the wirelessly networked indicator light device implementations
shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23. The various functions of the circuit
400 are controlled by a suitably programmed programmable controller
420. Wireless networking is handled by RF module 410, in accordance
with various signals PATTERN, DATA_IN, DATA, DATA.CLK, DATA.OUT,
ENABLE and SWCH between the RF module 410 and the controller 420.
Wired networking is handled by RS485 circuit 430, in accordance
with various signals RX_485, TX_485, RE_485 and DE_485 between the
RS485 circuit 430 and the controller 420. External control signals
may be applied through sinking inputs 440 and 450. An ultrasonic
transducer 512 is driven by sensor interface 510, with transducer
drive being controlled by signals U_DRIVE1 and U_DRIVE2 between the
controller 420 and the sensor interface 520. Object proximity is
detected by comparator 500, and the detection results are reported
by signal U_COMP between the comparator 510 and the controller 420.
Light output may be red, green or blue. The pulse rate and duty
cycle of red light output from an array of LED elements 521, 522,
523 and 524 is controlled by signals OUTP1 from the controller 420
to driver 520. The pulse rate and duty cycle of green light output
from an array of LED elements 531, 532, 533 and 534 is controlled
by signals OUTP2 from the controller 420 to driver 530. The pulse
rate and duty cycle of blue light output from an array of LED
elements 541, 542, 543 and 544 is controlled by signals OUTP3 from
the controller 420 to driver 540. and to VBOOST circuit 550
respectively. While pulse width modulation is an efficient way to
control pulse intensity, pulse intensity may also be controlled by
analogue with electronically adjustable set current resistor
551.
[0104] Power to the various components of the circuit 400 is
provided by regulator 470, while power to the RF module 410 is
provided by RF regulator 480. The power source may be external line
power VCC in the range of from twelve to twenty-four volts, which
is pre-regulated by pre-regulator 460 before being applied to the
regulator 470 and the RF regulator 480, or may be battery power in
the range of three to five volts applied to the regulator 470 and
the RF regulator 480. The higher voltage VBOOST required for the
LED drivers 520, 530 and 540 is generated in the VBOOST circuit 550
using, for example, a switch mode converter.
[0105] The battery pack providing VT may be capacitor-backed to
maintain a low peak current. Batteries generally, and alkaline
batteries in particular, have a higher capacity at lower average
current. However, when the LED's are flashed, the current drawn
from the battery can approach 100 mA with some less efficient
LED's. To avoid this high peak current drain, the batteries may be
backed by a sufficiently large capacitive device, or super
capacitor, to ensure that the peak current from the battery stays
near the average operating current, illustratively less than about
5 mA. This technique further improves battery capacity; at low
temperatures this improvement may be considerable.
[0106] A variety of indicator lights, sensors, and wireless system
components suitable for a variety of applications including smart
parking systems generally and pick systems generally are available
from Banner Engineering Corp. of Minneapolis, Minn., USA; see,
e.g., Products & Applications: Indicator Lights, downloaded
from http://www.bannerengineering.com/en-US/product on Sep. 21,
2010.
[0107] Application Example: Parking Garage
[0108] FIG. 25 shows an illustrative system for wireless vehicle
detection and indication to be used in single space parking and way
finding applications. The solution utilizes a combination of
wireless connectivity, ultrasonic sensors, magnetometers, and/or
battery power to create a parking sensor system that is effective
over a long service life, while being inexpensive, convenient and
easy to install and maintain.
[0109] The system uses a hierarchical wireless sensor and indicator
network installed throughout a parking garage. The individual
components include wireless ultrasonic sensor and LED indicator
nodes, wireless magnetometer nodes, wireless ultrasonic sensor
nodes, wireless LED indicator nodes, battery packs, wireless
gateway devices, and a host.
[0110] The parking garage illustrative has four ramps or levels
600, 610, 620 and 630. The top or fourth level ramp 600 is open to
the sky and provides three parking spaces 604, 606 and 608, all of
which are occupied by vehicles. Magnetometers 605, 607 and 609
located on the ramp 600 are used to detect vehicles parked over
them, and are powered with integrated D-cell lithium batteries to
achieve a long service life. Suitable magnetometers include the
model M-Gage.TM. DX80 node available from Banner Engineering Corp.
of Minneapolis, Minn., USA. While magnetometers 605, 607 and 609
are shown as cylindrical devices mounted into respective holes in
the ramp 600, they may take the form of a half oblate spheroid that
is surface-mounted, or any other desired form. Indicator lights are
not used, but may be used if desired. If used, they may be
pole-mounted, wall-mounted or floor-mounted, and may be operated at
a high intensity to be readily visible to drivers. The
magnetometers 605, 607 and 609 are provided with wireless
communications capability and are wirelessly networked to wireless
gateway 602, which is wired to a data radio 601 for communications
to a host computer 640 via data radio 631.
[0111] The third level ramp 610 is covered by a ceiling and
provides three parking spaces 614, 616 and 618, of which space 614
is vacant and spaces 616 and 618 are occupied by vehicles.
Respective indicator-sensor devices 615, 617 and 619 are mounted on
a ceiling over ramp 610 and are positioned over the parking spaces
614, 616 and 618. Each of the devices 615, 617 and 619 is a unitary
device similar to the wirelessly networked indicator light device
shown in FIG. 23, and contains an indicator light, an ultrasonic
sensor, wireless communications and control circuitry, and a
self-power source. In this example, it is presumed that sensing,
indication and wireless communication may all be effectively
performed from the same position over the parking spaces of the
third level ramp 610. The self-power source may be D-cell lithium
batteries to achieve a long service life, or may be four (4) D-cell
alkaline batteries if the anticipated power consumption is low or
if long service life is not needed. Alternatively, if line voltage
is available, it may be used instead of the self-power source. The
devices 615, 617 and 619 are wirelessly networked to wireless
gateway 612, which is wired to a data radio 611 for communications
to the host computer 640 via the data radio 631.
[0112] The second level ramp 620 is covered by a ceiling and
provides three parking spaces 624, 626 and 628, all of which are
occupied by vehicles. Respective indicator-sensor devices 625, 627
and 629 are mounted on a ceiling over ramp 620 and are positioned
over the parking spaces 624, 626 and 628. Each of the devices 625,
627 and 629 is made of modules similar to the wirelessly networked
indicator light device shown in FIG. 22, and contains an indicator
light module (see module 644 of the device 639), an ultrasonic
sensor module (see module 642 of the device 639), a wireless
communications and control circuitry module (see module 641 of the
device 639), and a self-power source module (see module 643 of the
device 639). However, unlike the device shown in FIG. 22, only the
ultrasonic sensor module and the wireless communications and
control circuitry module are assembled into a unit, which is
interconnected to the indicator light module and the self-power
source module by suitable wiring. In this example, it is presumed
that sensing and wireless communication may be effectively
performed from the same position over the parking spaces of the
second level ramp 620, but that indication and mounting of the
power supply are preferably performed at different locations. The
self-power source may be D-cell lithium batteries, D-cell alkaline
batteries, or line voltage, as desired. The devices 625, 627 and
629 are wirelessly networked to wireless gateway 622, which is
wired to a data radio 621 for communications to the host computer
640 via the data radio 631.
[0113] The first or ground level ramp 630 is covered by a ceiling
and provides three parking spaces 634, 636 and 638, all of which
are occupied by vehicles. Respective indicator-sensor devices 635,
637 and 639 are mounted on a ceiling over ramp 630 and are
positioned over the parking spaces 634, 636 and 638. Each of the
devices 635, 637 and 639 is made of modules, and is similar to each
of the devices 625, 627 and 629. In this example, it is presumed
that sensing and wireless communication may be effectively
performed from the same position over the parking spaces of the
first level ramp 630, but that indication and mounting of the power
supply are preferably performed at different locations. The devices
635, 637 and 639 are wirelessly networked to wireless gateway 632,
which is wired to the host computer 640.
[0114] The hierarchical network architecture used in the parking
system of FIG. 25 is scalable. The sensor network is partitioned
into multiple sub-nets, each of which may have any number of sensor
nodes and one wireless gateway. The sensor nodes are addressed in
any desired manner such as, for example, with rotary switches, and
are bound to a particular gateway during operation.
[0115] The gateways are represented in the network as Modbus
slaves. Each gateway is given a different Modbus slave address. The
sensor node occupancy data for an entire sub-net is held in a
bitwise representation using, for example, an efficient coding such
as 7 bytes which contain the status of all nodes.
[0116] The host controller is configured as a Modbus Master device.
Occupancy at the parking facility may be captured by periodically
polling the bitwise occupancy registers in the respective gateways
for the sub-nets. Configuration and diagnostic information may be
obtained by polling individual holding registers.
[0117] Advantageously, the system is scalable. In the illustrative
system described, a single host controller, or Modbus master, can
oversee 247 different gateway sub-nets. Each sub-net can contain up
to 56 sensor nodes. Therefore the total occupancy per master is
13,832 sensor nodes. These capacities are illustrative, since many
other systems and capacities are available.
[0118] Suitable network components and wireless magnetometer nodes
are available from Banner Engineering Corp. of Minneapolis, Minn.,
USA.
[0119] Application Example: Parking Facility with Dynamically
Assigned Parking Spaces
[0120] Indicator light devices may be used in a system for
dynamically assigning and reserving parking spaces for specific
users, especially in facilities for which demand for parking spaces
may exceed supply. An illustrative system of this type includes
devices at points of ingress and egress for associating the vehicle
or occupant with a unique code, such as, for example, a keypad for
receiving a code pre-assigned to an occupant of the vehicle, a
reader for reading an electronic room key or other type of key
card, a bar code reader for reading a bar code applied to the
vehicle or carried by an occupant, an NFC reader for reading a code
from an NFC transmitter applied to the vehicle or presented by an
occupant, a license plate reader, and so forth. In a hotel parking
garage, for example, the reception clerk may provide the code to a
guest during check-in.
[0121] The code is acquired by the system as the vehicle occupied
by the guest approaches the facility. In the hotel example, a
keypad may be provided at the entrance to the parking garage so
that that guest may key in the code, or a key card reader may be
provided to read the encoding on the guest's electronic room key,
wherein the encoding may serve as the code. The system
authenticates the code and allows the vehicle to enter the parking
facility. As part of the authentication process, the reception
clerk may during the check-in process set a guest status parameter
associated with the code in the system as "unassigned" so that
persons who have not checked in or who have checked out (the guest
status may be cleared at check-out) may be denied access to the
parking garage.
[0122] The system assigns a parking space to the vehicle. One
technique is for the system to pre-assign the parking space. In the
hotel example, the system may automatically select a parking space
number, change the guest status parameter to the assigned parking
space number, and flash the indicator light device associated with
the assigned parking space a suggestive color, illustratively
green. All other indicator light devices in the system may be left
dark or flashed red. Another technique is to allow the driver to
select any available parking space. The system may flash all
available spaces a suggestive color such as green, while the
unavailable spaces may be flashed another suggestive color such as
red. When the driver parks the vehicle in one of the available
parking spaces, the vehicle is detected and the system may change
the guest status parameter to the assigned parking space number. In
either case, the indicator lights may be turned off after the
vehicle is detected in the parking space to manage power
consumption. Another technique is for the reception clerk to
manually instruct the system to assign a particular available
parking space to the vehicle.
[0123] The vehicle may leave the parking facility without losing
parking privileges. When a legally parked vehicle egresses the
parking facility and attempts to re-enter, the system acquires and
authenticates the code as the vehicle approaches the facility, and
allows the vehicle to enter the parking facility. In one technique,
the system flashes the indicator light device associated with the
assigned parking space a suggestive color, illustratively green,
based on the code. All other indicator light devices in the system
may be left dark or flashed red. Another technique is for the
system to change the guest status parameter to "unassigned" upon
re-entry, and allow the driver to select any available parking
space as described above. Note that the parking space remains
assigned while the vehicle is away, thereby preserving parking
privileges. In either case, the indicator lights may be turned off
after the vehicle is detected in the assigned parking space.
[0124] The system may have various additional capabilities. A
notable capability for facilities in which demand may exceed supply
includes reporting facility capacity, and in particular a facility
full alert so that alternative parking arrangements may be
initiated when the parking facility is full.
[0125] The system may be provided with additional capabilities for
detecting fraudulent or mistaken parking activity so that
corrective action may be taken, either by the system or by a
facility agent such as, in the hotel example, by the reception
clerk, concierge, or parking attendant. One type of mistake is for
an authenticated vehicle to park in a "wrong" parking space, such
as a space that is not assigned to it. If the wrong parking space
is assigned to another, the system may flash the indicator light
device associated with the wrong parking space a suggestive color,
illustratively yellow, and generate an "investigate" alert so that
the problem may be promptly resolved by a facility agent. If the
space is unassigned, the parking attempt may be treated as a space
assigned to another, or may be treated as a new parking space
assignment as described above.
[0126] Another type of mistaken parking activity is the slow
parker. If the first-to-enter vehicle is confused or slow to park,
a second vehicle may enter the parking facility before the
first-to-enter vehicle has parked. If parking spaces are assigned
to both vehicles and the system is configured for returning
vehicles to park in previously assigned spaces, a problem may occur
either when the first-to-enter vehicle parks in the parking space
assigned to the second-to-enter vehicle, or when the
second-to-enter vehicle parks in the parking space assigned to the
first-to-enter vehicle. One technique for handling this problem is
to automatically reassign the parking spaces. Another technique is
to take no action. If one of the vehicles should leave and return,
it may not be able to park in its previously assigned space and
would then be treated as a parking in a wrong space. Another
technique for handling this problem is to presume that the problem
arises whenever a second vehicle enters before a first-to-enter
vehicle has parked, in which case the system may flash the
indicator light devices associated with both assigned parking
spaces a suggestive color, illustratively yellow, and generating an
"investigate" alert to a facility agent.
[0127] A common and serious problem with some parking facilities is
the illegal vehicle that closely follows an authorized vehicle into
the parking garage through the entrance gate. Should the system
detect one or more additional parkings during the interval between
two code acquisitions, the system may flash the indicator light
devices associated with all of the parking spaces occupied during
that interval a suggestive color, illustratively yellow, and
generate an "investigate" alert to a facility agent.
[0128] Another common and serious problem with some parking
facilities is the illegal vehicle that uses a code assigned to
another. If the code submitted by an arriving vehicle is
authenticated but the assigned space is occupied, the parked
vehicle in the assigned space could be either a legal occupant or
an illegal occupant. While the system may prohibit entry to the
arriving vehicle, this may not be desirable since the arriving
vehicle may be a legal occupant. Therefore, the system may allow
the arriving vehicle to enter but indicate available spaces by
flashing the associated indicator light devices a suggestive color,
illustratively yellow. When the arriving vehicle is parked, the
system may flash the indicator light devices associated with the
spaces containing the arriving vehicle and the parked vehicle a
suggestive color, illustratively yellow, and generate an
"investigate" alert to a facility agent.
[0129] An "investigate" alert may be handled in any desired manner.
Illustratively, the investigate alert may be provided to the
facility agent, who upon receiving may inspect the vehicles parked
in spots indicated by yellow lights, query the system for the room
numbers of the guests associated with the parking spaces (or this
information may be provided as part of the "investigate" alert),
contact the guests to understand the situation, instruct the system
to make any desirable reassignments, and take appropriate
enforcement action against illegally parked vehicles.
[0130] The description of the various embodiments of the invention
including its applications and advantages as set forth herein is
illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention. Variations and modifications of the embodiments
disclosed herein may be made, and practical alternatives to and
equivalents of the various elements of the embodiments would be
known to one of ordinary skill in the art upon a study of this
patent document. Moreover, unless otherwise stated any values
provided herein are approximations and are illustrative, as would
be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. These and other
variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosed herein,
including of the alternatives and equivalents of the various
elements of the embodiments, may be made without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *
References